[WVDXA] 160 Meter Contest

[Dan Ringer]

Pardon the interruption, but I've been lurking for quite a while.

I got on 160 for the first time in my 44 3/4 years as a ham this weekend. Ok, 
I have workes 4-5 stations on my 80 meter dipole over the years, barely.  
But I put up a 140 ft wire last summer with the hope it would load on 160.  It 
did.

I worked 253 stations in the contest, including C6 and PJ2, in 38 states; with 
7 in WV - WA8WV, N2EE, K3JT, K8MN, AJ1M, K8OQL and N8II.

I learned 4 things: (1) power is a good thing, but I only have 100 watts of it; 
(2) a horizontal antenna is nice, but a vertical would help a lot - especially at 
night; (3) I was pretty much able to work everything I could hear at S5 or 
better but there are a lot of stations I just can't hear; and (4) the noise level 
here is quite good, thankfully.

I was amazed at what (how much) was on, and how relatively easy it is to 
work the US.
I may add a wire vertical next summer.  Should be able to get 60-70 feet up, 
but radials will be problematic (aren't they always).  I'd appreciate 
suggestions if anyone has done something like this.

All in all, the contest was great fun!

Dan, K8WV